Validity and reliability of the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder self-report scale (ASRS-v1.1) in a clinical sample with eating disorders. (August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Carlucci, Samantha; Ivanova, Iryna; Bissada, Hany; Tasca, Giorgio A.
• Is Part Of: Eating behaviors. Volume 26(2017)
• Page Start: 148
• Page End: 154
• Publication Date: 2017-08
• Subjects: Eating disorders -- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder -- ASRS-v1.1 -- Impulsivity -- Inattention; Eating disorders -- Periodicals; Compulsive eating -- Periodicals; Obesity -- Periodicals; 616.8526
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2017.03.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-0153

Abstract

Abstract: Individuals with eating disorders (EDs) commonly experience comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The shared features of EDs and ADHD, such as inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity, may exacerbate ED symptomatology and pose challenges to treatment. It is important to screen patients with EDs for symptoms of ADHD to optimize their treatment outcomes. However, the psychometrics of common measures of ADHD have not yet been examined within an ED population. An example of such a measure is the ADHD self-report scale (ASRS-v1.1) symptom checklist, which identifies the presence of ADHD symptoms. This study reports a psychometric study of the ASRS-v1.1 in a clinical sample of 500 adults with an ED. A confirmatory factor analysis indicated the ASRS-v1.1 maintained its two-factor structure of inattention and impulsivity/hyperactivity. The item loadings demonstrated path invariance across ED diagnostic groups indicating construct validity. Further, the subscales exhibited good internal consistency and they were significantly correlated with other measures of impulsivity indicating convergent validity. The ED sample had significantly higher mean scores than published nonclinical norms indicating predictive validity, but the ASRS-v1.1 scores were not significantly different among ED diagnostic groups. Results suggest the ASRS-v1.1 is a valid and reliable screening tool for identifying symptoms of ADHD among adults seeking treatment for ED. Highlights: The factor structure of the ASRS-v1.1 was maintained across ED diagnostic groups. The ASRS-v1.1 was significantly correlated with other measures of impulsivity. The ED sample had significantly higher mean scores than published nonclinical norms. The ASRS-v1.1 scores were not significantly different across ED diagnoses.